ACTivate Your Life: Using acceptance and mindfulness to build a life that is rich, fulfilling and fun

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Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience, and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful. Having identified our values, we know where we want to go in life, the direction we want to progress towards. We might set goals along the way. In addition to formal meditation, you can also cultivate mindfulness informally by focusing your attention on your moment-to-moment sensations during everyday activities. This is done by single-tasking—doing one thing at a time and giving it your full attention. As you floss your teeth, pet the dog, or eat an apple, slow down the process and be fully present as it unfolds and involves all of your senses. Mindfulness exercises

We learn to make room for painful feelings, thoughts, and sensations - allowing them to be there, coming and going without us struggling against them. Knowing our values will help us decide how to react to stress and distress. In spite of how we feel, we can still move in the direction and service of our values. It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn't about making these thoughts go away, but rather about seeing them as mental events that come and go. This can be very hard at first, but with gentle persistence it is possible. Gently redirect. If your mind wanders into planning, daydreaming, or criticism, notice where it has gone and gently redirect it to sensations in the present.

You Are Not Your Mind

To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: "Here's the thought that I might fail that exam" or: "This is anxiety". Free yourself from the past and future It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living "in our heads" – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour. They studied whether the program increased participants’ awareness of their habits. This included how they ate. The study found that participants chose a healthier diet after taking the course.

Trying new things, such as sitting in a different seat in meetings or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way. Watch your thoughts Body sensations – Notice subtle body sensations such as an itch or tingling without judgment and let them pass. Notice each part of your body in succession from head to toe. Anyone can experience upset at any stage in life and it can affect you in a number of ways. We’re currently living through a very unusual time, where anxiety can be increased and usual coping mechanisms or support networks may not be as accessible. The four part “ACTivate Your Life” video course has been designed by Dr Neil Frude to share practical and effective ways of dealing with thoughts and feelings that may be causing stress. Mindfulness improves physical health. If greater well-being isn’t enough of an incentive, scientists have discovered that mindfulness techniques help improve physical health in a number of ways. Mindfulness can: help relieve stress, treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, , improve sleep, and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. To identify our values, we can think about what it is in life that is REALLY important to us, the most important, what gives our life meaning and purpose.

I can honestly say that ACTivate your life course has changed my life. I am a different person & now much more able to cope with any adversity/anything I can't control. Thank you so much.” Our supporters will keep catching the vision that ‘withreach’ is about relationships, friendships, involvement in the issues that matter and being in the places where things are happening. The NHS and HSE are unable to deliver Stress Control classes in the community at this current time. However, online classes are available from Dr Jim White. Schuman-Olivier is looking at whether mindfulness can help reduce anxiety among people being treated for opioid use. This could help prevent relapse. Developing Healthy Habits

I am now much calmer/react less emotionally to things & am able to cope with a multitude of things that busy life throws at us – I just do one thing at a time, prioritising in a rational way based on my values/what's important. This makes me feel much more satisfied with life, even when there are tough times.” NICE also recommends that employers make mindfulness available to all employees, to support mental wellbeing at work. How to be more mindful